Channel 4 has commissioned new documentary series Free Nelson Mandela…
The production will chart Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary journey and the global struggle to free him.
Head of Specialist Factual for Channel 4, Shaminder Nahal:
“We are looking forward to bringing the extraordinary story of Nelson Mandela, and the campaign to free him, to a new audience. It’s hard to think of a more significant and deeply resonant story for today. I can’t wait to see how this brilliant team lead by James Rogan, will weave together the scintillating archive, music and testimony and bring it to life in a landmark series.”
Free Nelson Mandela is set to air across four episodes – three which will transmit in an hour-long slot, and a fourth that will broadcast across 90-minutes – and is the story of the biggest campaign for a single prisoner in history, and the man who became, for many, the greatest politician of the 20th century.
The series documents Mandela’s journey from activist to revolutionary, from prisoner to negotiator and how he led South Africa to democracy from a prison cell.
The image of Mandela walking free from prison after 27 years is one of the most iconic in history. It took a fierce political struggle and cultural battle to bring about his freedom, producing a global people-powered movement and an explosion of musical activism. With extensive access to those who fought for his freedom and the people at the heart of the anti-apartheid movement, including some of the world’s biggest music stars and hours of previously unseen material, this three-part series, for the first time, tells the story in full.
Tom Young, Head of Indie Partnerships, Factual at BBC Studios:
“We are thrilled to be joining forces once again with Rogan Productions and Channel 4 to tell the story of such an incredible figure in modern history. Free Nelson Mandela (W/T) shines a bold and thoughtful new light on the legacy of Mandela and will resonate with audiences around the world. BBC Studios has a proven track record of collaborating with Rogan on ambitious documentaries about icons from modern history and this continues this great partnership.”
Free Nelson Mandela will air on Channel 4 and will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios, as part of their first-look output deal with Rogan Productions who are producing the series for Channel 4.
